Land compensation based on market price — Naroden
SIBU: Evaluation of compensation for land acquired for development projects in the state is based on the current market price.
Assistant Minister for Resource Planning Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais such system was not a socalled ‘rip- off’.
Instead, he said the compensation was paid in a very fair manner based on the current market value of land.
“This in accordance with Article 13 of the Federal Constitution, which stipulates that no person may be deprived of property save in accordance with law, and that no law may provide for the compulsory acquisition or use of property without adequate compensation,” he said when officiating at the presentation of land compensation and communal reserve land gazettes at the civic centre here yesterday.
At the function, Naroden – who is Gedong assemblyman – distributed compensation totalling RM4.501 million to 176 landowners whose land was acquired for the upgrading of the 8.1km Tanjung Penasu-Batu Burak Road here.
Earlier, he said the payment was proof the government did not grab the people’s land without compensation as alleged by certain unscrupulous individuals.
On a similar matter, Naroden advised the Native Customary Rights ( NCR) landowners who
This in accordance with Article 13 of the Federal Constitution, which stipulates that no person may be deprived of property save in accordance with law, and that no law may provide for the compulsory acquisition or use of property without adequate compensation.
had their land perimeter surveyed previously under Section 6 of Sarawak Land Code to apply for individual titles under Section 18 of the same Code.
He said they must settle disputes on their land – if there was any – to facilitate the process. It was also important for them to cooperate with all parties involved in the exercise.
“The process for issuance of individual titles cannot be done if there were disputes among owners; for example, on land borders, encroachment of land and court cases.
“In the end, the land will become idle because it cannot be developed due to unsettled disputes. This is a waste to the landowners. If they continue to quarrel, they would get nothing when others are enjoying profits from sale of their palm oil,” he said.
The presentation of compensation and gazette was witnessed by Daro assemblyman Shafiee Ahmad, Land and Survey Department deputy director Kueh Hui Urg, acting Sibu Land and Survey superintendent Mickcy Madang, and United People’s Party ( UPP) Sibu Bumiputera Unit chairman Andrew Shilling.
At the function, Naroden presented Bumiputera communal reserve gazettes to four areas spanning a total of 1,957 hectares; they are Sungai Pasai Besai, Sungai Pasai/ Lubok Pelaie, Nanga Tutus/ Batang Igan and Durin Kiba.
Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister for Resource Planning